18/8 Eighteen Eight Fine Men’s Salons overstates the success of its franchises and understates its franchise failures, according to a franchise owner who provided this anonymous complaint. We invite others to validate or dispute this claim – and share their opinions of the Eighteen Eight Fine Men’s Salon franchise, the Griff’s Shave Bar franchise, and franchisor Ultimate Franchises Inc.
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18|8 Fine Men’s Salon Franchise Investigation (GoFundMe page)
Eighteen Eight Fine Men’s Salons – How Many Open / Closed / Rebranded? is an anonymously submitted guest post penned by a current or former 18/8 franchise owner.
The writer believes all information and numbers to be accurate, but invites readers to verify independently and draw their own conclusions.
Here’s the Guest Post:
Submitted by An 18/8 Franchise Owner.
In a recent Forbes interview (dated 6/13/18), franchise CEO (Chief Exaggerating Officer), Scott Griffiths severely overstates franchise success, open location count, and units in development of the 18/8 Fine Men’s Salon franchise chain.
Scott Griffiths is also the principal of Ultimate Franchises Inc. and the sub-brand Griff’s Shave Bar.
The premise of the article is how the financial crisis helped 18|8 Fine Men’s Salons grow faster through franchising than it would have organically.
While franchising has helped the 18|8 brand grow in store count in recent years, the rapid closing of locations throughout the country has led to many franchisees losing their life savings.
Griffiths states in the article, “Since franchising, 18|8 Fine Men’s Salons has grown to nearly 100 locations, with more than 150 in development.”
Eighteen Eight’s own website only lists 61 operating locations. Where are the other 39?
In a recent internal call with franchisees, Griffiths claims 75 open locations.
Did he mean “nearly” 75?
Where is the truth?
1. Irvine, CA (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salon-irvine-2)
2. Westlake Village, CA (https://www.yelp.com/biz/eighteen-eight-fine-mens-salon-westlake-village)
3. San Rafael, CA (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salon-san-rafael)
4. Walnut Creek, CA (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-walnut-creek-walnut-creek-2)
5. Culver City, CA (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-culver-city-culver-city-5)
6. La Jolla, CA (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-la-jolla-la-jolla-2)
7. Little Italy (San Diego), CA (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-broadstone-little-italy-san-diego)
8. Washington, DC (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-washington)
9. Coral Gables, FL (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salon-coral-gables)
10. Bethesda, MD (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-bethesda-bethesda)
11. Maple Lawn, MD (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-maple-lawn-fulton-2)
12. North Baltimore, MD (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-greenspring-baltimore-2)
13. St. Louis Park, MN (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-st-louis-park-st-louis-park-2)
14. Bedminster, NJ (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-bedminster)
15. Westwood, NJ (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-westwood)
16. Florham Park, NJ (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-florham-park-florham-park)
17. Edgewater, NJ (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-city-place-edgewater-edgewater)
18. Livingston, NJ (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-livingston-livingston)
19. Woodbury, NJ (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-woodbury-woodbury)
20. Beachwood, OH (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-beachwood-beachwood-2)
21. Avon Commons, OH (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-avon-commons-avon)
22. Lake Oswego, OR (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-lake-oswego-lake-oswego-4)
23. McKinney, TX (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-mckinney-mckinney)
24. Fort Worth, TX (https://www.yelp.com/biz/18-8-fine-mens-salons-fort-worth-fort-worth)
1. Ocotillo, AZ
2. Waterfront, AZ
3. Newport Beach, CA
4. West Hollywood, CA
5. Dublin, CA
6. Brea, CA
7. Huntington Beach, CA
8. Campbell, CA
9. Roseville, CA
10. Mountain View, CA
11. Laguna Niguel, CA
12. Closter, NJ
13. Jersey City, NJ
14. Mamaroneck, NJ
15. Cool Springs, TN
16. Plano, TX
17. Flower Mound, TX
18. Richardson, TX
19. Bothell, WA
6 other former franchise locations have had operations taken over by 18|8 corporate;
1. Anaheim Hills, CA
2. Lake Forest, CA
3. Centennial, CO
4. Annapolis, MD
5. Princeton, NJ
6. Powell, OH
The franchise page of the eighteeneight.com franchise website states: “Total Investment Range is $291,851 – $513,639 for a single 18|8 Fine Men’s Salon.”
Considering all store closures, rebrands, and corporate takeovers, this equates to $14.3-$25.1 million in lost investor value. This total does not include resales that have netted the original owner negative value.
Scott Griffiths claims 150 units in development. In the first 6 months of 2018 alone, over 2 dozen locations have either closed or rebranded, while only 2 new locations have opened. In an amazing twist of irony; the recent Forbes article is titled “Growth Stories: How the Financial Crisis Caused This Business To Grow Ten Times Faster.”
Share your personal Growth Story with 18|8 Fine Men’s Salons in the comments.
[End of Guest Submitted Content]
See how many locations Ultimate Franchises, Inc. claims to have as of July, 2017. See Item 20 for location and sales information, and the exhibits for a list of current and former franchise owners:
ALSO READ:
FRANCHISE DISCUSSIONS by Company
NOTE: We invite all parties discussed to share corrections, clarifications, explanations, rebuttals, and alternative points of views. Franchisors, franchisees, employees and others discussed here can leave comments below or submit rebuttals and clarifications via email to UnhappyFranchisee[at]Gmail.com.
Opinions and representations expressed are those of the parties alone; do your own research and make up your own mind. We are a discussion site and invite all opinions from all points of view which can be left as comments or submitted to UnhappyFranchisee[at]gmail.com for possible publication. Anonymous commenting is fine. Please consider supporting our effort with a contribution to Unhappy Franchisee.
ARE YOU AN 18/8 EIGHTEEN EIGHT FRANCHISE OWNER OR GRIFF’S SHAVE BAR FRANCHISEE? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE ULTIMATE FRANCHISES, INC. CONCEPTS AND SUPPORT?
IS SCOTT GRIFFITHS EXAGGERATING THE SUCCESS & UNDERSTATING THE RISK OF HIS FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES?
SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
TAGS: 18/8 Fine Men’s Salons, 18/8 Fine Men’s Salons franchise, 18/8 Salon franchise opportunity, 18/8 Fine Men’s Salons franchise complaints, Eighteen Eight Salon franchise, Eighteen Eight Salon franchise, Griff’s Shave Bar franchise, Ultimate Franchises Inc., franchise complaints, Scott Griffiths, W. Scott Griffiths, Ron Love, Loretta Hwong Griffiths, , Brigitte Love Thewes, Mark Elson, unhappy franchisee
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View Comments
Admin, I'm happy to share this detail with you but the terms of my settlement with the broker disallows me from doing so.
On the foreclosure...BWAHAHAHA! I had to sell my house to pay off my SBA loan and stay out of foreclosure. Thanks to Scott, I'm now a renter. This couldn't happen to a more deserving guy.
Zillow from the link above notes:
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* - A loan was issued by MAXIM COMMERICAL CAPITAL LLC on 8/16/2017 in the amount of $240,000
* - 3/4/2019 Home in default $299,529 past due
RealtyTrac from the link below notes:
-------
https://www.realtytrac.com/propertydetails/ca/laguna-niguel/92677/seminole-pl/99618324/
Equity & Loan-to-value
$1,137,000
ESTIMATED VALUE
$1,189,000
OUTSTANDING LOAN AMOUNT
-$52,000
EQUITY
104.57%
LOAN-TO-VALUE
Ownership Information
Primary Owner: GRIFFITHS,WILLIAM SCOTT S L TRUST
Ownership Description: Trust
Owners Mailing Address: 30821 SEMINOLE PL, LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA 92677
Purchase Price: $435,000
Purchase Date: 09/10/1997
Financing: 100% Financed
Open Loans
3
LOANS
$1,189,000
TOTAL LOAN AMOUNT
The total amount of the loans on a home can help determine the homeowner's equity. This is very useful when making an offer.
PositionAmountDateEst. Interest RateTypeOriginator
1
$649,00001/26/2007 6.19% WASHINGTON MUTUAL BK
2
$300,00006/04/2014 3.09% BANK OF SANTA BARBARA
3
$240,00008/17/2017 0% MAXIM COM'L CAP
Did The Banks Say “NO”?
---
Get Maxim Financing!
When the banks say “NO,” business owners with challenged credit turn to Maxim Commercial Capital for the financing they need to grow their businesses. Check out our quick and easy solutions to finance your heavy equipment purchase, refinance expensive debt or unlock liquidity tied up in real estate.
Date/Transaction
Price
Loan
Parties
03/13/2019:
Foreclosure (NOD)
$299,529
(Default Amount)
$0.00
Owner: GRIFFITHS, WILLIAM SCOTT
Trustee: CHICAGO TITLE COMPANY
history-opener
Full Details for Notice of Default (NOD)
RECORDING DATE 03/13/2019 DOCUMENT NUMBER 201900074812 TRUSTEE NAME CHICAGO TITLE COMPANY TRUSTEE ADDRESS
11620 Wilshire Blvd Sn Bernrdno CA 92408
TRUSTEE PHONE 800-722-0824 TRUSTEE SALE NUMBER 4285-38 LENDER NAME Maxim Commercial Capital LLC LENDER ADDRESS
11620 Wilshire Blvd West Los Angeles CA 90025
LENDER PHONE 213-984-2727 OWNER NAME GRIFFITHS, WILLIAM SCOTT DEFAULT AMOUNT $299,529
08/17/2017:
Finance
$0.00
$240,000
Borrower: SL,GRIFFITHS TRUST
Lender: MAXIM COM'L CAP
history-opener
Full Details of Transaction
RECORDED DATE 08/17/2017 DOCUMENT NUMBER 0000349565 LOAN AMOUNT $240,000 LOAN DOCUMENT 0000349565 LENDER MAXIM COM'L CAP
Foreclosure Parties
Defendant:
Griffiths, William Scott
30821 SEMINOLE PL
LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA 92677
Trustee:
Chicago Title Company
Lender:
Maxim Commercial Capital LLC
Foreclosure Timeline
Not in Foreclosure
Pre-Foreclosure (Current Status Per RealtyTrac)
Auction
Bank Owned
03/13/2019
Notice of Default issued The owner of this property was served a notice of default for missed mortgage payments of $299,529.
Meanwhile, reportedly two more franchisee stores died. Add them to list. Corporate (Great Griffs Two Corp or Ultimate Franchises?) is now the "proud" owner now:
Sugarland and Memorial Green are the recent corporate give-backs reportedly. Apparently, corporate didn't even want Chris Brown's store, since it went straight out closure after a valiant attempt to sell was, of course, unsuccessful.
On a related note, BizBuySell.com that previously had nearly 40% of 18|8's remaining stores listed for sell, now notes the following:
18/8 Fine Men's Salon Franchise is currently not accepting new inquiries, please check back soon.
The link to this message can be seen by clicking on:
https://www.bizbuysell.com/franchise-for-sale/eighteen-eight-fine-mens-salon-health-beauty-and-fitness-franchise/
How many more shoes can drop?
Was Franchoice and Careyann Golliver involved in facilitating any of your sales? I've heard she was hawking 18|8 franchises along with ILoveKickboxing, Zounds Hearing for which she's facing multiple lawsuits.
http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/franchoice-sued-by-ilovekickboxing-franchise-owners/
"FCI and Golliver have engaged in a continuous and repeated pattern of
selling franchises based upon false representations, omissions and violations of the FTC
Rule. This pattern of fraud and unlawful conduct has injured not only over a dozen
franchisees of ILKB, but also franchisees of other systems, notably of the hearing aid
franchisor known as Zounds. FCI and Golliver knew that their misrepresentations were
false and misleading and would likely create substantial injury to the public. FCI’s and
Golliver’s established practice of selling franchises unlawfully and fraudulently presents
a substantial risk of further and continuing injury to the public at large."
It appears that these broker networks are a critical part of selling unproven concepts with disreputable franchisors, like 18|8 Fine Men's Salons and Scott Griffiths.
You can email confidentially to UnhappyFranchisee[at]gmail.com.
If anonymity is a concern, use https://www.guerrillamail.com/ which is anonymous, free and requires no registration.
I was victimized by Jenny Cxxxxx who was with FranNet, then You Network, now is writing books about how to validate franchise opportunities. (!!!!)
What's Jenny's last name? You are posting anonymously. It doesn't help warn anyone without her last name.
There's a Jenny Childs who was with Frannet
Jenny Childs
Vice President and Senior Consultant at "The You Network" and Co-Author of Franchise Validator
Las Vegas, Nevada Area
So Cal all got screwed over by Page Nicol of FranNet. He tried to sell us Zounds too.
Check out:
Page Nicol https://www.linkedin.com/in/pagenicol/detail/recent-activity/
Jenny Childs https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennychilds42/
Page, what Years was page working for/with them?
FTB Suspension?
----
https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ca/C4057280
https://businesssearch.sos.ca.gov/CBS/SearchResults?SearchType=NUMBER&SearchCriteria=C4057280
----
Entity Number:
C4057280
Registration Date
08/18/2017
Status
FTB SUSPENDED (** - Google returns noted below when you type in: FTB Suspension.)
Entity Name
GRREAT GRRIFF
Jurisdition
CALIFORNIA
Agent
JUAN VALDEZ
----
** - FTB Suspended or FTB Forfeited: The business entity was suspended or forfeited by the Franchise Tax Board for failure to meet tax requirements (e.g., failure to file a return, pay taxes, penalties, interest).
---
Does anyone have more context or intel on the above "FTB Suspension" action?